Prior Design chose the recent Essen Motor Show to reveal its 1 Series M Coupe-inspired body program for the BMW 3 Series.
Constructed from high quality Dura-Flex plastic, the M1 aero package consists of a front bumper with lip, side skirts, rear bumper and boot lid spoiler.
The components are available to buy separately, with the bumpers priced at €699 each, the side skirts €329 and the rear spoiler €229.
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Waiblingen-based tuning specialist Lorinser has unveiled its latest options for the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Shooting Brake.
The sporty aero package, consisting of a new front bumper, wider fenders, side skirts and a rear apron, is priced at €6,176, with Lorinser also offering a wide range of 19 and 20-inch diameter alloy wheels including the RS8 turbine design and five-spoke multi-piece RSK6 items pictured here. A spring kit lowers this high-class hearse by 25 mm, while the interior can be kitted out with anything from illuminated sill plates and aluminium pedals to a fully reupholstered cabin.
Power upgrades exist for all engines, such as the 3.5-litre-engined CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY, which sees output rise from 225 kW (302 hp) and 370 Nm of torque to 237 kW (322 hp) and 400 Nm resulting in a new top speed of 265 km/h. The 3.0-litre CLS 350 CDI can be made to produce 224 kW (305 hp) and 695 Nm up from 165 kW (221 hp) and 540 Nm – or 195 kW (261 hp) and 620 Nm – depending on base vehicle. Sports silencers complete the changes.
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While his return to F1 was somewhat of an anti-climax, Michael Schumacher will undoubtedly always have a passion for speed, as this new video demonstrates.
The accomplished racing driver was joined by a group of fellow motorsport a-listers, including Isle of Man TT hero John McGuinness, Randy Mamola and Pol Espargaro during a Legends track day at Paul Ricard Circuit in France. The event, organised by Monster Energy and Mercedes-AMG also attracted The Prodigy frontman and Endurance racer Keith Flint.
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Bentley has announced M-Sport Ltd as its technical partner for developing the company’s Continental GT3 racecar.
Well known for its involvement in the World Rallying Championship since 1997, including two Manufacturer’s titles, M-Sport will design and develop components at its Cockermouth premises, with design work and project organisation being undertaken at Bentley’s headquarters down in Crewe.
The GT3 concept will make its UK début at Birmingham’s Autosport International Show (January 10-13), with Bentley promising its first on-track appearance before the end of the year.
“Joining forces with Bentley to help create the new Continental GT3 is a rare privilege. Bentley’s design and analysis work to-date has shown that the Continental GT road car can become an extremely competitive race car, and we are looking forward to capitalising on our extensive competition car development experience and success to help Bentley realise its goals,” remarked M-Sport’s founder and Managing Director Malcolm Wilson.
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BMW has released details and images of its slightly facelifted Z4 Roadster ahead of its Detroit début in January.
Visually, the minimal changes include revised LED-infused headlamps and tapered surrounds for the side indicators housings. There will also be a range of alloy wheel designs in 17 and 18-inch diameters to choose from when the Z4 hits showrooms in April. Inside, the air vent surrounds and iDrive display get high-gloss black trim, with Fineline Anthracite wood strips a new option for the first time. The fully-integrated Professional navigation system with internet connection provides entertainment, Real Time Traffic Information and allows short emails and text messages to be dictated by Voice Control.
Customers adding the Hyper Orange Design package are offered Mineral Grey metallic, Glacier Silver metallic or Valencia Orange metallic body finishes, while the interior receives leather and Alcantara upholstery in black with contrasting orange door panels and striping.
The current engine line-up remains in place with the addition of an entry-level Z4 sDrive18i model equipped with a six-speed manual transmission or optional eight-speed automatic. Powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, which develops 115 kW (154 hp) and 240 Nm of torque, it cracks 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds (auto 8.1s) and reaches a top speed of 221 km/h (137 mph. Fuel consumption averages out at 6.8 litres every 100 kilometres with a CO2 figure of 159 g/km.
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Here’s a video from Audi Motorsport looking back at the successful 2012 season that its R8 LMS ultra has enjoyed.
Released in March of this year, the ultra features new CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced plastic) doors, an Audi-developed PS1 safety seat, an even wider rear wing and hood with optional vents, depending on homologation rules. Other changes include larger coolers for the engine oil and transmission fluid, enlarged sideblades, and improved front brake cooling.
Power comes from the company’s 5.2-litre V10 which can produce up to 419 kW (570 hp), depending on the specific competition’s restrictor regulations.
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